Alistair Overeem, Fedor, Werdum and Strikeforce: I'm Calling You Out!

The benefits of having multiple MMA promotions such as Strikeforce and UFC are numerous. 

Fans are privy to more fights each year, a variety of commentators and, perhaps important to some, more ring girls. 

However, the contractual boundaries implemented by the UFC prevents their fighters from competing outside of the promotion. Although it may be unsettling to think that MMA is becoming synonymous with UFC, it is a reality.  

The UFC's talent pool is widely regarded as the best in the world. If the winner of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament wants the undisputed title, they should fight in the UFC.   

For years, MMA fans have been clamoring for a superfight between Fedor and the top UFC talent. Hopefully Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC, had this in mind when they recently purchased Strikeforce.

Fedor suffered a blow to his relevance with two straight losses, but fans will always flock to see "The Last Emperor."

On the other hand, Alistair Overeem is on a roll and seems to present the most legitimate threat to the UFC crown. Seeing Overeem face off against Velasquez or Lesnar would be most fans' idea of a true superfight. 

The Strikeforce heavyweight tournament only proves superiority over second-rate fighters. Fabricio Werdum seems to have acknowledged this recently.

The former UFC fighter expressed a desire to return to the UFC if he captures the Strikeforce title.

Werdum was knocked out by an uppercut from Junior dos Santos in his last UFC bout. After having compiled a mediocre record of 2-2 in the UFC, Werdum has since gone undefeated in Strikeforce.  Capturing three straight wins he defeated two of the division's top contenders, Fedor and Antonio Silva. 

Werdum’s success challenges the legitimacy of the promotion’s heavyweight division. 

Fighters like Overeem and Werdum risk losing their opportunity to be considered the greatest heavyweights in the world by fighting in smaller, less-talented promotions.  

Overeem currently holds three belts, each from a different promotion.

If Overeem can add the UFC belt to his list, he will secure his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.